Tide must turn on renewables, MPs urge

Published on Sunday 19 February 2012 00:23

BRITAIN could rule the waves if the government adopted a more visionary approach to developing marine renewables if the UK, according to a new report.

The House of Commons Energy and Climate Change Committee said with the largest wave and tidal resources in Europe, up to a fifth of the UK’s electricity could eventually come from this “reliable and predictable” low-carbon source.

And developing a thriving wave and tidal power industry could also bring economic benefits to the UK, the committee argues, with opportunities to export technology and expertise.

The report warns, however, that an overly cautious approach may allow other less risk-averse countries to steal the UK’s lead, as they did with wind power.

Tim Yeo MP, committee chairman, said: “In the eighties the UK squandered the lead it had in wind power development and now Denmark has a large share of the worldwide market in turbine manufacturing.

“It should be a priority for the government to ensure that the UK remains at the cutting edge of developments in this technology and does not allow our lead to slip.”

Yeo called for a “more visionary approach from the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC)”.

“Britannia really could rule the waves when it comes to marine renewable energy,” he added.

Scotland is currently leading the way in the development of wave and tidal energy technologies. The European Marine Energy Centre in Orkney, where new devices can be tested, was the first of its kind in the world.

The Scottish Government has also established the £10m Saltire Prize to encourage innovation in the sector within Scotland.

Investor confidence, policy certainty, public-private risk sharing, improved grid connections and a workforce with the necessary engineering skills are all identified by the report as crucial if the UK hopes to retain its lead.

It also recommends the UK Government consider setting an ambitious deployment target for marine renewables.

A DECC spokesperson said: “We are fully committed to spurring on the growth of this industry and have already taken great strides to make this happen.

“Last month Climate Change Minister Greg Barker launched the South West Marine Energy Park and there are plans to create similar parks in Scotland and Northern Ireland.”